ALACHUA COUNTY - It's now full steam ahead for Alachua County's Wage Theft Ordinance after a statewide wage theft bill failed to get a final vote during this year's regular legislative session.

Senate Bill 1216 was introduced in the state Legislature more than two months ago by north central Florida Senator Rob Bradley. If passed, the bill would have superseded the county's Wage Theft Ordinance.

While the county's Wage Theft Task Force celebrated the move, members of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce have expressed their reservations. They say business owners need a consistent law across all counties on a statewide level instead of a "patchwork" of different local ordinances.

As for the costs associated with the local ordinance, the county commission budgeted $10,000 for the Hearing Officer process last month. Tattersall says that should be a one-time cost and that the county will add fees and fines they collect as a result of cases they mediate.

The Wage Theft Ordinance is set to take effect at the beginning of next year.